1.Neem
for
Sustainable
Development
and
Environmental
Conservation
:
Indian
Perspective

By:
Dr.
Ramesh
C.
Saxena

The
population
of
India
has
already
crossed
the
one
billion
mark.
Providing
adequate
food
entitlements,
safeguarding
public
health,
meeting
fuel
and
firewood
needs,
and
at
the
same
time
preventing
deforestation
and
conserving
the
environment,
and
slowing
down
the
population
growth
will
be
daunting
challenges
in
the
coming
decades.
Although
"green
revolution
technologies"
have
more
than
doubled
the
yield
potential
of
cereals,
especially
rice
and
wheat
in
India,
these
high
- input
production
systems
requiring
large
quantities
of
fertilizers,
pesticides,
irrigation,
and
machines,
disregard
the
ecological
integrity
of
land,
forests,
and
water
resources,
endanger
the
flora
and
fauna,
and
cannot
be
sustained
over
generations.
Future
food
security
and
economic
development
would
depend
on
improving
the
productivity
or
biophysical
resources
through
the
application
of
sustainable
production
methods,
by
improving
tolerance
of
crops
to
adverse
environmental
conditions,
and
by
reducing
crop
and
post-harvest
losses
caused
by
pests
and
diseases.
Appropriate
technologies,
which
do
not
assault
the
nature,
would
have
key
roles
to
play
in
ensuring
food
security,
in
improving
public
and
animal
health,
and
in
rehabilitation
the
environment
to
safeguard
the
well
being
of
the
posterity.
The
future
must
look
to
natural
ways
and
process
for
augmenting
agricultural
productivity.
In
fact,
all
development
efforts
and
activities,
including
pest
management,
should
be
within
well-defined
ecological
rules
rather
than
within
narrow
economic
gains.
Sustainable
agricultural
systems
must
be
efficient
(i.e.
effective
and
economically
rewarding)
and
ecologically
sound
for
long-term
food
sufficiency,
equitable
in
providing
social
justice,
ethical
in
respecting
both
future
generations
and
other
species,
and
also
lead
to
employment
and
income-generating
opportunities.
For
India,
the
use
of
neem
may
provide
a key
component
in
ensuring
sustainable
agricultural
systems,
including
pest
and
nutrient
management,
animal
health,
human
health,
and
environmental
conservation.

Neem,
a member
of
the
Meliaceae
family,
is
a botanical
cousin
of
mahogany.
According
to
report
of
an
ad
hoc
panel
of
the
Board
on
Science
and
Technology
for
International
Development,
"this
plant
may
usher
in
a new
era
in
pest
control,
provide
millions
with
inexpensive
medicines,
cut
down
the
rate
of
human
population
growth
and
even
reduce
erosion,
deforestation,
and
the
excessive
temperature
of
an
overheated
globe."
Neem's
other
descriptions,
such
as
"nature's
gift
to
mankind,"
"the
tree
for
many
an
occasion,"
"
the
tree
that
purifies,"
"
the
wonder
tree,"
"the
tree
of
the
21st
century,"
and
"a
tree
for
solving
global
problems,"
are
a recognition
of
its
versatility.
Its
botanic
name,
Azadirachta
indica,
derived
from
Farsi,
"azad
darakht
i hindi"
literally
means
the
"free
or
noble
tree
of
India,"
suggesting
that
it
is
intrinsically
free
from
pest
and
disease
problems
and
is
benign
to
the
environment.

Neem
is
an
evergreen,
tall,
fast-growing
tree,
which
can
reach
a height
of
25m
and
2.5m
in
girth.
It
has
an
attractive
crown
of
deepgreen
foliage
and
masses
of
honey
scented
flowers.
A full-grown
tree
can
produce
30
to
100
kg
of
fruits,
depending
on
rainfall,
insolation,
soil
type,
and
ecotype.
50
kg
of
fruit
yields
30
kg
of
seed,
which
gives
6 kg
of
oil
and
24
kg
of
seed
cake.
Neem
has
more
than
100
unique
bio-active
compounds,
which
have
potential
applications
in
agriculture,
animal
care,
public
health,
and
for
even
regulating
human
fertility.

Neem
has
had
a long
history
of
use
primarily
against
household
and
storage
pests
and
to
some
extent
against
crop
pests
in
India.
With
the
advent
of
broad-spectrum,
toxic
insecticides,
such
as
DDT,
the
use
of
neem
in
crop
protection
declined.
However,
over
the
past
two
decades,
neem
has
been
come
under
close
scientific
scrutiny
"as
a source
of
unique
natural
products
for
IPM,
medicine,
industry,
and
other
purposes.
In
spite
of
high
selectivity,
neem
derivatives
affect
400
to
500
species
of
mites
and
ticks,
nematodes,
and
even
noxious
snails
and
fungi,
and
aflatoxin
- producing
Asergillus
spp.

Results
of
large-scale
field
trials
conducted
by
me
and
others
have
illustrated
the
value
of
neem-based
pest
management
for
enhancing
agricultural
productivity.
The
use
of
neem
and
fertiliser
mixtures
can
reduce
ammonia
volatilization
loss
caused
by
nitrifying
bacteria
in
soil,
thus
effecting
saving
on
fertilizers.
A large
number
of
neem-based
medicines,
pharmaceuticals,
and
toiletries
are
being
produced
today
and
are
in
great
demand
overseas.
Neem
has
scope
in
reforestation
and
agroforestry
and
rehabilitating
waster
and
degraded
lands.
It
is
useful
as
windbreaks
and
in
areas
of
low
rainfall
and
high
windspeed,
it
can
protect
crops
from
desiccation.

Neem
has
much
to
offer
in
solving
agricultural
and
public
health
problems
in
the
country,
especially
in
rural
areas.
However,
more
neem
trees
will
have
to
be
grown
to
meet
the
increasing
demand
for
insecticidal
and
industrial
uses.
The
local
peasant
community
will
have
to
be
brought
with
the
fold
of
increased
awareness
by
outreaching
and
through
interpersonal
interaction,
by
involving
'sarpanch'
or
village
chiefs,
schools,
women
groups,
and
government
and
non-government
organizations.
Field
demonstrations
and
neem
fairs
at
strategic
locations
will
have
to
be
organized
periodically
in
collaboration
with
local
bodies
or
institutions
to
evoke
the
interest
and
participation
of
target
communities.
Also,
existing
local
initatives,
if
any,
will
have
to
be
strengthened.

Strategies
for
creating
awareness
will
involve
hands-on
training
through
lectures
and
demonstrations
to
trainers,
comprising
agricultural
trainers,
foresters,
extension
personnel,
health
workers,
teachers,
journalists,
and
representatives
of
NGOS,
youth
and
women
groups,
who
would
then
have
a multiplier
effect
in
target
areas.
They
will
have
to
be
taught
how
to
harvest,
collect
and
process
neem
seed,
grow
and
plant
seedling,
and
use
various
neem
materials
for
pest
management.
The
distribution
of
raw
materials
will
have
to
be
guaranteed
by
establishing
nodal
agencies
in
target
areas.
These
activities
will
create
employment
opportunities
and
also
generate
income.

The
complex
molecular
structure
of
bio-active
neem
compounds
precludes
their
chemical
synthesis
economically.
Therefore,
even
the
chemical
industry
will
have
to
rely
on
the
use
of
raw
material.
With
growing
demand
for
natural
pest
control
materials,
the
use
of
neem
products
is
becoming
popular
worldwide.
In
the
next
decade,
it
is
expected
that
global
neem
trade,
comprising
neem-
based
pest
control
materials,
medicines,
pharmaceuticals,
and
toiletries
will
grow
to
more
than
$500m.
Herein
lies
a huge
window
of
opportunity
to
benefit
by
growing
and
harnessing
neem
not
only
for
local
use
but
also
for
export
to
regions
and
countries
where
neem
does
not
thrive.

The
neem
tree
(Azadirachta
indica)
is
regarded
as
one
of
mother
nature's
gift
to
the
world.
In
India
, it
is
commonly
found
in
house
compounds
in
both
villages
and
cities.
Green
twigs
are
used
as
toothbrushes
to
combat
teeth
decay.
Its
extracts
have
a powerful
pesticidal
activity
and
are
used
by
both
households
and
farmers
to
control
a wide
variety
of
pests
(insects,
fungi,
bacteria,
viruses,
nematodes,
rodents
etc.).
These
extracts
have
considerable
antiseptic
affects
and
are
used
as
a skin
care
agent
in
soaps
and
shampoos.
The
leaves
are
often
mixed
with
rice
and
consumed
as
a cure
all
and
prophylactic
against
bacterial
and
helminthic
infections.
Neem
leaf
pastes
are
used
to
repair
scarred
skins
arising
from
the
effects
of
chicken
pox.
Not
surprisingly,
many
believe
that
the
neem
tree
itself
can
ward
off
demons.

The
pesticidal
and
medicinal
properties
of
extracts
from
the
neem
tree
have
been
exploited
for
at
least
the
last
2500
years.
Sanskrit
texts
dating
back
to
the
sixth
century
BC,
document
the
microbicidal
and
prophylactic
effects
of
neem
extracts.
Charaka
in
the
6th
Century
BC
recommended
the
oral
consumption
of
neem
extracts
to
ward
off
pimples,
leprosy
and
edema.
Sushruta
in
the
5th
century
BC
recommended
the
use
of
neem-leaf
smoke
for
fumigation
and
maintenance
of
general
hygiene.
He
also
recommended
it
as
a "krimihara",
an
agent
effective
against
insects,
grubs
and
maggots
and
detailed
the
ability
of
neem
leaves
to
cure
gangrenous
and
otherwise
difficult
to
cure
wounds.

The
neem
tree
appears
to
be
a biochemical
factory
producing
a mixture
of
over
135
biologically
active
compounds.
As
a pestticide,
the
oil
from
neem
seeds
are
believed
to
break
the
life
cycle
of
pests
and
deters
them
from
feeding
and/or
hatching.
Studies
have
shown
that
active
compounds
iin
the
oil
inhibited
the
secretion
of
hormones
into
the
blood
inhibting
the
moulting
and
reproductive
function
in
insects.

Neem
oil
is
known
to
be
active
on
over
400
insect
pests.
It
has
for
example
been
found
to
be
effective
against
fleas,
head
lice,
ticks,
termites,
plague
locusts,
mosquitoes
and
sheep
blow
flies.
It
is
believed
to
be
particularly
active
against
chewing
and
sucking
insects
such
as
caterpillars
and
beetle
larvae.

Neem
extracts
have
also
been
shown
to
be
effective
against
nematode
pests.
Neem
cake,
the
by
product
from
neem
seed
processing
appears
to
be
effective
on
nematodes,
snails
and
certain
fungi.
The
neem
tree
and
its
extracts
surprisingly
appear
to
be
benign
to
bees
and
other
nectar
feeding
insects.
Seed
extracts
are
not
known
to
have
any
toxic
effect
on
plants,
mammals
and
birds
and
in
fact
in
studies
by
the
US
EPA,
no
LD-50
could
be
established
even
at
high
doses.

These
remarkable
properties
have
attracted
considerable
interest
from
both
researchers
and
pharmaceutical
companies.
This
renewed
interest
in
neem
created
no
more
than
amusement
in
India
where
the
beneficial
properties
of
neem
have
been
known
for
countless
generations.
This
mood
however
has
recently
changed
with
Grace
Horticultural
Products,
a unit
of
Grace
Speciality
Chemicals
(USA)
acquiring
the
patent
and
trademark
rights
to
produce
and
sell
insecticidal
neem
extracts.
Their
product,
Margosan-O
Concentrate,
is
protected
under
US
patent
No.
5124349.

In
1995,
a group
led
by
Mr.
Jeremy
Rifkin,
president
of
the
Foundation
of
Economic
Trends
in
the
US,
Dr.
Vandana
Shiva
of
the
Research
Foundation
for
Science
Technology
and
Natural
Resource
Policy
and
Professor,
Nanjundaswamy
of
the
Karnataka
Rajya
Ryot
Sangha
in
India
contested
the
decision
of
the
US
Patent
and
Trademark
Office.
They
claim
that
the
neem
product
has
long
been
used
as
a pesticide
in
India
and
is
not
a new
invention
as
claimed
under
the
patent.
They
claim
that
Grace's
patent
does
not
satisfy
the
criterion
that
the
invention
must
not
be
obvious
to
one
of
ordinary
skill
in
the
art.
They
assert
that
the
Grace
process
only
slightly
differs
from
that
used
by
farmers
in
India.

Grace
on
the
otherhand
claims
that
its
patent
relates
to
a formulation
based
on
neem-seed
extract.
They
assert
their
formulation
overcomes
the
problems
associated
with
the
instability
of
azadirachtin,
the
primary
active
pesticidal
ingredient
from
the
plant,
in
traditionally
used
water
or
alcohol
based
emulsions.
Further
the
awarding
of
patents
based
on
the
purification
or
modification
of
naturally
occurring
substances
is
not
new.
For
example,
in
1979,
the
US
Court
of
Customs
and
Patent
Appeals
reversed
a decision
by
the
Patent
and
Trademark
Office
to
award
a patent
for
a compound
purified
from
strawberries.
In
fact,
more
than
40
patents
have
already
been
award
for
inventions
relating
to
a compound
found
in
neem
seeds
alone.

Regardless
of
its
outcome,
the
legal
battle
ensuing
between
Grace
and
its
opponents
will
have
significant
ramifications
for
the
natural
products
industry.
Rifkin
and
partners
assert
that
the
patent
and
other
similar
patents
will
mean
that
"indigenous
populations
around
the
world,
will
be
excluded
from
freely
using
many
of
the
local
biological
resources
that
have
been
carefully
developed
and
nurtured
over
hundreds
of
years".
It
has
even
been
claimed
that
in
a worst
case
scenarios
that
indigenous
farmers
would
have
to
pay
royalties
to
carry
on
their
centuries-old
farming
practices.
Unfortunately
the
latter
argument
fails
to
consider
that
no
universal
patent
exists
and
as
such
Grace's
patent
is
not
valid
in
India.
Indian
farmers
can
thus
choose
to
pay
a premium
for
Grace's
formulation
or
continue
to
produce
their
own.

As
a result
of
this
case,
developing
countries
are
now
more
concerned
about
the
consequences
of
the
loss
in
sole
proprietary
of
a biological
resource.
Recently,
a senior
official
from
the
Indian
Council
of
Agricultural
Research
voiced
his
concern
on
the
"pilfering"
of
traditional
plant
varieties
from
India.
"The
neem
is
ours
and
nobody
can
take
it
away".
His
claim
may
be
a case
of
closing
the
door
after
the
horse
has
bolted
and
is
indeed
somewhat
curious,
given
that
neem
trees
have
been
successfuly
grown
in
over
17
countries.
They
can
in
fact
be
obtained
here
in
Singapore.

The
Indian
government
is
in
the
process
of
formulating
a Plant
Varieties
Protection
Act
which
will
seek
to
protect
over
2,300
currently
unprotected
Indian
plant
varieties.
Whether
other
countries
follow
India's
lead
will
certainly
have
a significant
influence
on
both
research
and
production
of
natural
products.

I
can
only
tell
you
of
my
experience
with
Neem
Oil.
I
cannot
recommend
Neem
oil
because
our
government
(
USA
)
has
not
approved
its
use
on
orchids
or
on
any
plants.
When
I
refer
to
Neem
oil,
I
mean
pure
Neem
Oil
as
pressed
from
the
seeds
of
the
Neem
tree.
I
have
never
used
any
product
with
Neem
oil
in
it.
I
don't
know
that
it
would
be
as
safe
as
pure
Neem
oil.

Where
does
Neem
oil
come
from?
Originally
it
came
from
India.
The
Indian
natives
have
been
using
Neem
for
about
3000
years
as
an
internal
remedy
as
well
as
an
ingredient
in
tooth
paste,
soap,
shampoo,
cosmetics
and
skin
creams.

I
have
never
used
a product
in
the
greenhouse
whose
effects
were
as
efficient
and
long
lasting
as
Neem.
Insecticides
and
fungicides
that
I had
previously
used
were
a short-term
fix
- about
two
weeks.
And
the
smell
was
offensive
and
lasted
for
days.
But
it
was
what
was
available
to
keep
a clean
insect
free
greenhouse
even
if
the
fumes
from
most
insecticides
caused
me
to
have
allergic
reactions.

Due
to
a long
term
illness,
my
greenhouse
became
a disaster
area.
In
January,
as
the
phalaenopsis
were
spiking,
the
mealy
bugs
moved
in
by
the
thousands.
About
75%
of
the
mature
plants
had
fire
ants
in
the
pot.
Scale
was
rampant.
We
had
snails
and
slugs
so
big
they
looked
dangerous.
Toxic
sprays
did
not
get
rid
of
them
completely.

The
first
time
I used
Neem
oil
(1
oz.
to
1 gallon
of
water
+ few
drops
of
dishwashing
liquid),
I sprayed
every
plant,
bench,
walkway
and
under
every
bench.
In
a few
days
there
was
a definite
improvement.
I waited
2 weeks
and
sprayed
again.
I kept
a close
eye
on
the
plants,
no
mealy
bugs,
scale
and
best
of
all
the
fire
ants
were
gone.
And
no
more
slugs
and
snails.

I
didn't
spray
again
for
six
months.
I found
a snail
and
a slug,
no
other
'live
stock',
but
I decided
to
spray
everything
again.
The
beauty
part
of
using
Neem
oil
is
that
you
don't
have
to
wear
protective
clothing
or
special
breathing
equipment
and
there
are
no
sickening
odors.
Neem
oil
does
have
an
odor,
best
described
as
'kind
of
like
onion
soup'.
However,
the
odor
only
lingers
for
a short
time.

How
does
Neem
get
rid
of
insects?
Most
insects
die
shortly
after
spraying.
Those
remaining
become
sterile
and
do
not
reproduce.
I've
heard
a story
of
2 desert
locusts,
2 grape
leaves
and
2 bell
jars.
One
grape
leaf
was
sprayed
with
an
insecticide,
the
other
with
Neem.
One
locust
and
one
grape
leaf
were
put
under
each
bell
jar.
The
locust
ate
the
toxic
leaf
and
died.
The
other
locust
refused
to
eat
the
Neem
sprayed
leaf
and
starved
to
death.
From
my
experience
the
story
could
be
true.
I believe
it
is
better
if
you
can
prevent
the
insect
from
eating
the
plant,
than
to
let
them
eat
the
plant
and
then
die.
It
takes
years
to
lose
the
damaged
leaves
on
most
orchids.
Flowers
can
be
ruined
before
the
critters
will
die
from
insecticide.
I've
not
been
disappointed
with
Neem
Oil.
I'm
sure
that
many
who
read
this
will
be
sceptical
because
of
the
'do
everything'
claim.

We
have
a cat
that
has
grown
up
in
the
greenhouse.
Neem
hasn't
bothered
her
at
all.
Panzie
greets
all
comers
and
we
certainly
would
not
use
anything
that
would
hurt
her.
We
also
used
Neem
on
my
daughter's
dog,
a Shar-pei.
The
dog
was
biting
and
chewing
her
fur
and
making
sores
and
bald
spots
all
over
her
coat.
The
veterinarian
said
she
had
hair
mites.
There
is
a treatment
for
this
- a
series
of
6 dips
at
$65.00
per
dip
and
only
a 50%
chance
of
a cure.
I suggested
that
she
try
using
a 'Neem
rinse'
after
bathing
the
dog,
using
a 1
oz.
to
1 gallon
of
water.
This
treatment
was
followed
for
three
weeks.
The
dog
has
stopped
chewing
herself
and
has
grown
back
a full
glossy
coat.
It
is
also
harmless
on
people.
A lady
in
our
orchid
society
has
an
allergy
to
mosquito
bites.
Living
in
Florida
she
had
a problem
working
in
her
garden,
fishing
or
taking
an
evening
stroll.
She
had
used
spray
repellents
but
it
was
difficult
to
use
and
not
always
satisfactory.
She
tried
Neem
oil
and
she
swears
by
it.

When
I use
Neem
oil
I only
mix
the
amount
I will
use
within
four
hours.
Neem
is
very
biodegradable
and
will
start
to
break
down
quickly.
If
it
is
kept
in
the
refrigerator
at
approximately
40F
the
shelf
life
is
extended.
As
any
organic
oil,
it
will
turn
rancid.
How
soon
will
depend
on
the
storage
temperature.

We
have
used
pure
Neem
oil
on
cattleya,
dendrobium,
phaleanopsis,
oncidiums,
vanilla,
vanda,
peristeria,
etc.
We
have
detected
no
damage
to
any
of
these
plants.

1.
Pure
Neem
Oil
will
retain
its
potency
much
longer
if
stored
at
about
40°
F in
a low
light
area
such
as
a refrigerator.

2.
Do
not
mix
anything
with
Neem
oil
until
you
are
ready
to
use
it.
Mix
only
the
amount
of
Neem
oil
you
will
use
in
4 to
6 hours.

3.
A new
batch
of
Neem
oil,
water
and
a little
soap
(according
to
the
label)
should
be
mixed
each
time
you
are
going
to
spray.

4.
The
soap
(dishwashing
detergent)
is
used
to
help
emulsify
the
oil.
If
no
soap
is
used
the
Neem
will
not
mix
into
solution
with
the
water
and
spraying
will
not
be
effective.

5.
Spray
the
complete
plant
including
the
top
of
the
potting
media.
Spray
benches,
walkways
and
any
surface
over
which
an
insect
might
travel.

6.
A mixture
of
1 oz.
to
1 gallon
of
water
should
be
used
for
spraying.
A weaker
solution
may
be
used
as
a maintenance
spray.
It
is
impossible
to
gie
a definite
schedule
for
spraying,
however
a "close
eye"
will
help
each
person
to
adjust
a timetable
to
maintain
clean
plants.
You
will
probably
not
have
to
spray
as
often
with
Neem
as
with
toxic
insecticides.

Following
Details
Reproduced
Below
With
Permission
From
Cornell
University.

Azadirachtin
Regulatory
Status

Azadirachtin
is
registered
in
the
United
States
as
a general
use
pesticide
with
a toxicity
classification
of
IV
(relatively
non-toxic).
Check
with
specific
state
regulations
for
local
restrictions
which
may
apply.
Products
containing
azadirachtin
must
bear
the
signal
word
"Caution"
or
"Warning"
on
their
label
(1).

Introduction

The
key
insecticidal
ingredient
found
in
the
neem
tree
is
azadirachtin,
a naturally
occurring
substance
that
belongs
to
an
organic
molecule
class
called
tetranortriterpenoids
(6).
It
is
structurally
similar
to
insect
hormones
called
"ecdysones,"
which
control
the
process
of
metamorphosis
as
the
insects
pass
from
larva
to
pupa
to
adult.
Metamorphosis
requires
the
careful
synchrony
of
many
hormones
and
other
physiological
changes
to
be
successful,
and
azadirachtin
seems
to
be
an
"ecdysone
blocker."
It
blocks
the
insect's
production
and
release
of
these
vital
hormones.
Insects
then
will
not
molt,
thus
breaking
their
life
cycle
(4,
5).

Azadirachtin
may
also
serve
as
a feeding
deterrent
for
some
insects.
Depending
on
the
stage
of
life-cycle,
insect
death
may
not
occur
for
several
days.
However,
upon
ingestion
of
minute
quantities,
insects
become
quiescent
and
stop
feeding.
Residual
insecticidal
activity
is
evident
for
7 to
10
days
orlonger,
depending
on
insect
and
application
rate
(1,2).

The
acute
inhalation
toxicity
study
in
rats
exposed
to
technical
azadirachtin
showed
that
the
acute
inhalation
LD50
is
greater
than
2.41
mg/L
per
animal,
the
highest
dose
tested.
Although
this
figure
is
below
the
5.0
mg/L
limit
test
dose
for
an
acute
inhalation
study,
the
reported
concentration
was
the
maximum
dose
possible
under
the
test
conditions.
No
deaths
occurred
during
the
course
of
the
study.
Azadirachtin
was
given
a toxicity
classification
of
Category
III
(3).

A
primary
eye
irritation
study
in
rabbits
exposed
to
technical
azadirachtin
was
rated
mild
to
moderately
irritating
after
instillation
of
0.1
gm
of
the
undiluted
material.
At
one
hour
post-instillation,
the
maximum
eye
irritation
score
was
15.3/110;
by
24,
48,
and
72
hours
the
scores
were
6.2/110,
0.3/110,
and
0/110,
respectively.
It
was
given
a toxicity
category
of
III
(3).

Primary
dermal
irritation
in
rabbits
when
tested
at
a single
dose
(0.5
gm)
by
applying
it
to
the
shaved
backs
of
rabbits,
did
not
cause
any
dermal
irritation
after
4 hours
of
exposure.
The
dermal
score
was
zero
for
all
treated
rabbits
at
all
examination
times.
A toxicity
category
of
IV,
mild
to
slightly
irritating,was
assigned.

An
acute
dermal
toxicity
study
of
rabbits
exposed
to
technical
azadirachtin
was
performed.
The
material
was
applied
for
24
hours
at
a single
dose
of
2.0
gm/kg
to
the
shaved
backs
of
the
rabbits,
that
caused
dermal
irritation
which
resolved
by
day
nine.
Azadirachtin
was
classified
as
a mild
irritant
(3).
Another
study
reported
the
dermal
LD50
for
rabbits
to
be
>2,000
mg/kg
(1,2).

Dermal
sensitization
in
guinea
pigs
found
the
technical
end-use
product
to
be
categorized
as
a mild
sensitizer
when
administered
undiluted
to
albino
guinea
pigs.
The
test
material
was
considered
a weak
dermal
sensitizer
to
albino
guinea
pigs
(3).

CHRONIC
TOXICITY

A
90-day
oral
toxicity
study
in
rats
fed
levels
of
500,
2500,
and
10,000
ppm
of
azadirachtin
showed
no
signs
of
overt
systemic
toxicity
at
any
dose
level
after
90
days
of
feeding.
Mean
body
weight
was
significantly
decreased
in
the
10,000
ppm
males
and
females
at
weeks
3 and
4,
respectively.
This
persisted
for
the
duration
of
the
90-day
feeding
period
(11).

Reproductive
Effects

Male
antifertility
activity
of
neem
leaf
extract
was
studied
in
mice,
rats,
rabbits
and
guinea
pigs
by
daily
oral
feeding
of
a cold-water
extract
of
fresh
green
neem
leaves.
The
infertility
effect
was
seen
in
treated
male
rats
as
there
was
a 66.7%
reduction
in
fertility
after
6 weeks,
80%
after
9 weeks,
and
100%
after
11
weeks.
There
was
no
inhibition
of
spermatogenesis.

During
this
period
there
was
no
decrease
in
body
weight
and
no
other
manifestation
of
toxicity
observed.
There
was
a marked
decrease
in
the
mortality
of
spermatozoa.
The
infertility
in
rats
was
not
associated
with
loss
of
libido
or
with
impotence
and
the
animals
maintained
normal
mating
behavior.
The
male
antifertility
activity
was
reversible
in
4 to
6 weeks.
Neem
extract
also
shows
reversible
male
antifertility
activity
in
mice
without
inhibition
of
spermatogenesis.
In
guinea
pigs
and
rabbits,
however,
it
exhibited
toxicity
as
demonstrated
by
66.6%
and
74.9%
mortality
in
guinea
pigs
and
80
and
90%
mortality
in
rabbits
at
the
end
of
4 and
6 weeks,
respectively
(9).

Teratogenic
Effects

No
information
was
found.

Mutagenic
Effects

Technical
azadirachtin
was
evaluated
for
the
potential
to
cause
gene
mutations
in
the
S.
typhimurium
strains
at
any
dose
(5,
50,
500,
5,000
micrograms/plate)
with
or
without
S-9
activation.
The
study
was
negative
(3).

Carcinogenic
Effects

No
information
was
found.

Fate
in
Humans
and
Animals

No
information
was
found.

ECOLOGICAL
EFFECTS

Effects
on
Birds
No
significant
effects
on
other
wildlife
were
reported
(8).

Effects
on
Aquatic
Organisms

The
LC50
for
rainbow
trout
exposed
to
azadirachtin
is
0.48
ppm
(11).
It
may
cause
significant
fish
kill
if
large
concentrations
reach
waterways.
It
breaks
down
rapidly
(in
50-100
hours)
in
water
or
light,
and
is
not
likely
to
accumulate
or
cause
long-term
effects
(8,
11).

Effects
on
Other
Animals
(Nontarget
species)

Azadirachtin
is
relatively
harmless
to
spiders,
butterflies,
and
insects
such
as
bees
that
pollinate
crops
and
trees,
ladybugs
that
consume
aphids,
and
wasps
that
act
as
parasites
on
various
crop
pests.
This
is
because
neem
products
must
be
ingested
to
be
effective.
Thus,
insects
that
feed
on
plant
tissue
succumb,
while
those
that
feed
on
nectar
or
other
insects
rarely
contact
significant
concentrations
of
neem
products.

Another
study
found
that
only
after
repeated
spraying
of
highly
concentrated
neem
products
onto
plants
in
flower
were
worker
bees
at
all
affected.
Under
these
extreme
conditions,
the
workers
carried
contaminated
pollen
or
nectar
to
the
hives
and
fed
it
to
the
brood.
Small
hives
then
showed
insect-growth-regulating
effects;
however,
medium-sized
and
large
bee
populations
were
unaffected
(4).

A
study
of
neem
products
and
their
effect
on
mortality,
growth
and
reproduction
of
earthworms
in
soils
was
conducted.
Positive
effects
on
weight
and
survival
were
found
in
soil
treated
with
ground
neem
leaves
and
ground
seed
kernals
under
greenhouse
conditions.
Reproduction
was
slightly
favored
over
a period
of
13
weeks
in
a neem-enriched
substrate
in
rearing
cages.
Various
neem
products
were
incorporated
in
the
upper
10-cm
soil
layer
of
tomato
plots.
None
of
the
materials
had
negative
side
effects
on
seven
species
of
earthworms
(10).

No
significant
effects
on
other
wildlife
were
reported
(8).

ENVIRONMENTAL
FATE

Breakdown
of
Chemical
in
Soil
and
Groundwater

Potential
for
mobility
in
soil
is
very
low
for
the
formulated
product
. Accumulation
in
the
environment
is
not
expected
(8).

Breakdown
of
Chemical
in
Surface
Water
A formulated
product
which
contains
the
active
ingredient
azadirachtin
is
considered
a water
pollutant.
It
breaks
down
rapidly
(in
100
hours)
in
water
or
light,
and
will
not
cause
long-term
effects
(8).

Breakdown
of
Chemical
in
Vegetation

Azadirachtin
is
considered
non-phytotoxic
when
used
as
directed
(2).

PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES
AND
GUIDELINES

Azadirachtin
is
a tetranortriterpenoid
botanical
insecticide
of
the
liminoid
class
extracted
from
the
neem
tree
Azadirachta
indica.
It
is
a yellow-green
powder,
with
a strong
garlic-sulfur
odor.
Hazardous
combustion
products
include
carbon
monoxide
and
carbon
dioxide
(1,
2,
8,
11).

Disclaimer:
Please
read
the
pesticide
label
prior
to
use.
The
information
contained
at
this
web
site
is
not
a substitute
for
a pesticide
label.
Trade
names
used
herein
are
for
convenience
only.
No
endorsement
of
products
is
intended,
nor
is
criticism
of
unnamed
products
implied.

A
study
on
the
effect
of
neem
oil
on
the
life
cycle
of
the
cattle
tick
(Boophilus
microplus)
by
John
Farries
a report
of
a trial
undertaken
in
a dairy
herd
in
Thailand
an
addition
to
the
current
research
literature
on
neem
as
a natural
pesticide
of
interest
to
agricultural
researchers
and
practitioners
in
the
developing
world

ABOUT
THE
AUTHOR

John
Farries
has
a Scottish
Diploma
in
Agriculture
and
Dairying,
and
over
thirty
years
experience
of
working
with
livestock.
He
has
extensive
experience
as
a farm
manager
and
has
also
worked
as
a research
adviser
in
dairy
and
beef
production
including
conducting
breeding
trials
and
collating
data.

John
worked
alongside
Thai
agriculturalists
as
a VSO
Dairy
Husbandry
Worker
at
Rachamangala
Institute
of
Technology
Agricultural
Campus,
Pitsanuloke,
Thailand,
from
1993-1996.
His
work
advising
on
the
improvement
of
the
dairy
herd,
particularly
its
conception
rates,
as
well
as
conducting
extensive
trials
into
pasture
and
grass
legumes
mixtures
and
the
use
of
neem
as
a botanical
pesticide.

ABSTRACT

Ticks
of
all
stages
were
collected
and
treated
with
solutions
of
neem
oil
diluted
in
water
in
concentrations
of
0.1%,
0.2%,
0.4%,
0.6%,
0.8%
and
1.0%.
These
were
compared
with
a control
of
water
only.
It
was
found
that
in
the
greater
dilutions,
the
immature
ticks
as
well
as
the
gravid
ticks
laid
ticks
before
dying.
The
dilution
of
1.0%
had
the
greatest
mortality
with
least
egg
laying.

Eggs
from
treated
and
non-treated
ticks
were
hatched
and
the
resultant
nymphs
were
also
treated
with
dilutions
of
0.1%,
0.2%,
0.4%,
0.6%,
0.8%
and
1.0%.
Viability
and
hatchability
was
affected
by
the
different
dilutions:
the
dilution
of
0.1%
had
least
effect
on
the
viability
of
the
eggs
laid
and
had
the
greatest
hatchability,
while
the
dilutions
of
0.8%
and
1.0%
had
the
greatest
effect,
with
60-75%
of
the
eggs
non-viable.

The
eggs
of
the
treated
ticks
were
smaller
and
paler
in
colour
than
those
of
the
non-treated
ticks.
The
time
of
incubation
did
not
vary
and
was
around
21
days.
Nymphs
from
eggs
of
treated
ticks
were
paler
and
had
less
mobility
than
those
from
eggs
of
untreated
ticks,
although
heat
and
light
stimulated
allstantly
by
the
alcohol
rather
than
by
the
concentration
of
neem
oil.

When
collecting
ticks
from
the
cattle,
it
was
found
that
there
were
smaller
darker
ticks
in
the
container
after
collection.
These
were
considered
to
be
male
ticks
which
had
attached
to
the
underside
of
the
female
ticks
in
the
act
of
fertilisation.
These
small
dark
ticks
were
also
more
active,
indicating
that
they
may
fertilise
more
than
one
female,
the
main
aim
of
which
is
to
engorge
with
blood
and
reproduce.
In
the
treatment,
the
small
dark
ticks
died
before
the
female
ticks.

METHOD

Eight-legged
ticks
of
immature
and
gravid
stages
were
collected
from
cattle
at
the
dairy
at
Rachamangale
Institute
of
Technology,
Pitsanuloke.
These
were
then
segregated
into
screwtop
containers.
Natural
conditions
such
as
soil
and
moisture
were
provided
for
some
ticks.
Tissue
paper
soaked
with
bovine
blood
was
also
provided.
This
did
not
prove
to
be
effective
in
feeding
any
tick
that
was
not
gravid.
Some
ticks
were
given
a dry
container
- no
natural
conditions.
These
were
usually
single
ticks
or
pair
of
ticks.

Untreated
ticks
were
watched
and
maintained
until
hatching.
Fungus
appears
to
be
the
main
predator
of
untreated
gravid
ticks,
especially
were
moisture
has
been
added.

Ticks
which
were
treated
were
in
batches
of
5-10
depending
upon
the
number
of
ticks
collected
and
available.
The
replication
tests
were
carried
out
with
greater
numbers.
The
tests
were
replicated
two
times.

Two
methods
were
used
to
treat
ticks
in
order
to
to
simulate
1.
whether
the
tick
was
already
on
the
animal
when
the
animal
was
sprayed
or
2.
whether
the
tick
crawled
onto
the
animal
after
spraying.

To
simulate
the
first
case,
the
relevant
dilution
was
brushed
onto
the
ticks
with
a brush.
For
the
second,
the
ticks
were
put
in
a screwtop
bottle
on
top
of
a tissue
soaked
with
the
relevant
dilution
of
neem
oil
and
water,
and
application
was
by
sensory
touch
of
the
tick.
The
effects
of
the
two
methods
were
relatively
similar.

In
moist
conditions,
eggs
from
untreated
ticks
develop
embryos
in
12
days.
The
eggs
from
treated
ticks
are
slower
to
develop
and
there
is
a greater
incidence
of
eggs
collapsing
and
drying
out
in
dilutions
of
0.4%,
0.6%
and
0.8%.

At
hatching,
nymphs
from
untreated
ticks
were
distributed
into
screwtop
bottles
with
tissue
paper
soaked
in
the
six
dilutions.
There
was
a control
bottle
with
water
only.
Numbers
per
bottle
varied
from
50-200
depending
on
the
replication.
Regular
counting
of
live/dead
nymphs
took
place
thereafter
until
all
nymphs
were
dead
or
had
expired
through
loss
of
energy.

When
nymphs
hatched
from
the
eggs
of
treated
ticks,
further
diluent
was
added
to
maintain
moisture
content
within
the
bottle.
Live/dead
counts
were
taken
of
these
groups
also.

RESULTS

Treated
ticks

As
the
table
shows,
the
number
of
immature
ticks
which
attempt
to
complete
their
life
cycle
by
laying
eggs
is
similar
to
those
in
the
control
group
for
all
dilutions,
except
when
treated
with
1.0%
solution.

After
17
days,
the
differences
between
treatments
ceased
to
be
significant.
It
is
considered
that
there
were
two
main
reasons
for
this.
It
is
accepted
that
after
17
days
the
effect
of
the
neem
oil
will
have
diminished
in
spite
of
the
closed
container.
The
other
reason
is
that
there
is
a great
range
in
the
natural
vitality
of
the
newly
hatched
nymphs.
Some
ticks
have
more
energy
than
others
and
since
they
are
selected
at
random
for
the
treatments,
the
law
of
averages
dictates
that
there
would
be
an
average
number
of
high
vitality
ticks
in
each
treatment.

To
extrapolate
the
results
into
a practical
situation,
the
recommendation
to
spray
every
2 weeks
(14
days)
in
order
to
control
ticks
is
considered
acceptable.
At
no
stage
was
it
the
intention
of
the
experiment
to
eliminate
the
tick,
as
it
has
been
proven
that
a certain
number
of
ticks
are
essential
to
control
the
incidence
of
tick
fever
and
to
maintain
the
natural
balance.

CONCLUSION

From
the
results
of
this
experiment,
it
is
considered
that
a dilution
of
neem
oil
in
water
of
1.0%
contains
sufficient
botanical
insecticide
in
the
form
of
Azadirachtin
to
affect
the
life
cycle
and
to
control
the
cattle
tick.

It
cannot
be
emphasised
too
strongly
that
a botanical
insecticide
acts
in
a different
way
to
a chemical
insecticide.
The
results
are
not
immediate
as
is
the
case
with
chemicals,
but
there
is
a gradual
build-up
in
control
with
no
side
effects
at
the
dilutions
used
in
this
trial.

Reproduced
with
permission
from
VSO,
an
NPO
and
acknowledgements
to
Mr.
John
Farries
for
his
study

Rachelle
&
Richard
have
wonderfully
explained
herein
how
Neem
Oil
played
an
role
in
eliminating
their
children's
problem
of
Head
Lice.

We
first
came
across
neem
about
2 years
ago,
when
we
read
a magazine
article
about
this
wonderful
tree
and
all
its
life-enhancing
properties.
We
did
not
have
access
to
the
internet
then,
and
searched
as
well
as
we
could
for
some
neem
oil,
but
were
unable
to
find
anybody
that
was
selling
it
in
this
country.
We
accepted
our
defeat
and
put
it
to
the
back
of
our
minds
until
some
months
later
when
a friend
of
ours
announced
she
had
a three-week
holiday
booked
to
India.

I
wonder
if
you
might
do
us
a favour"
we
began,
and
told
her
of
neem
oil.
She
agreed
and
three
weeks
later
we
were
proudly
holding
our
bottle
of
thick
brown
sludge,
wondering
how
on
earth
we
were
going
to
cope
with
the
smell
of
rancid
burnt
onions
that
was
seeping
from
this
bottle.

Our
main
reason
for
wanting
neem
oil
was
to
see
how
it
would
handle
a population
of
head-lice
that
had
taken
residence
on
two
children.
We
fought
the
battle
of
continual
shampooing,
conditioning,
combing,
and
the
weeping
and
wailing
that
inevitably
ensued.
Not
to
mention
the
incessant
scratching
that
seemed
to
"catch",
just
like
the
lice
themselves.
We
were
going
through
a particularly
bad
infestation
where
you
could
see
one
of
the
children's
heads
literally
crawling
with
lice,
we
learnt
never
to
ask
her
a question
where
the
answer
was
"no",
because
if
she
shook
her
head
a deluge
of
lice
would
ceremoniously
land
on
the
floor.
How
on
earth
she
lived
with
it
we
will
never
know,
but
this
was
by
far
the
worst
case
of
it
we
had
ever
seen.
She
was
even
affectionately
nicknamed
"Mother
louse"
because
these
little
creatures
seemed
to
just
adore
her!
We
refused
to
go
down
the
route
of
organophosphates
that
are
in
all
the
proprietary
shampoos
for
lice,
as
we
were
aware
of
the
terrible
damage
these
chemicals
could
do
to
the
body's
nervous
system
and
so
neem
seemed
to
be
the
answer
to
our
prayers,
fulfilling
the
role
of
a natural,
safe
yet
effective
solution.

We
had
absolutely
no
knowledge
or
any
source
of
wisdom
for
how
to
use
this
evil-smelling
stuff
and
so
we
plastered
the
children's
heads
with
it
neat,
combed
it
through,
wrapped
their
heads
in
cling-film
and
sent
them
out
in
the
garden
to
play
for
a couple
of
hours.
They
had
a wonderful
time
chasing
each
other
about
as
"aliens"
with
their
plastic,
sticky
heads
and
little
did
we
know
that
all
the
time
Mother
Nature
was
weaving
her
magic
on
their
"uninvited
guests".

After
about
4 hours
in
total
we
applied
shampoo
onto
their
hair
and
rinsed
it
off,
followed
by
another
shampoo
and
set
to
work
combing
their
hair
through
with
a lice
comb.

To
this
day,
we
are
absolutely
astounded
by
the
results
we
witnessed.
Our
conservatory
floor
rather
looked
like
a mini
necropolis
for
hundreds
(yes
hundreds)
of
lice
that
were
combed
out,
but
they
had
all,
every
single
one
of
them
died
and
combed
easily
off
the
hair.
The
girls
were
free
at
last
of
their
"company"
and
their
hair
was
shiny
and
healthy
looking.
Whether
or
not
we
applied
it
in
the
right
way,
we
still
do
not
know,
but
we
were
desperate
to
get
rid
of
these
lice
and
had
to
resort
to
desperate
measures.There
were
certainly
NO
side
effects,
which
we
know
would
not
have
been
the
case
if
we
had
gone
down
the
"orthodox"
route.

We
are
still
eager
to
learn
the
uses
of
neem
oil,
and
have
used
it
for
a nasty
skin
infection
that
prevented
the
need
for
antibiotics,
for
our
animals
as
a flea
treatment
and
a very
novel
use
we
have
found
is
as
a deterrent
for
thumb
sucking!

The
author,
Pushp
K
Jain,
is
a
noted
writer
on
Wildlife
and
also
specialises
in
medicinal
plants.

Excerpts
from
"India
-
Perspectives"
July
1998

Introduction
:-
During
my
31
years
of
service
in
India,
conducting,
among
other
things,
leprosy
control
programmes
and
publichealth
clinics,
I
was
amazed
to
find
a
most
versatile
medicinal
plant
-
NEEM
-
which
proved
to
be
invaluable.
The
following
article
sums
up
many
of
my
own
experiences
in
using
this
plant
/
seed
to
bring
healing
to
many
sick
people
-
even
helping
to
diagnose
victims
of
snake
poisoning
-
and
to
help
create
a
cleaner
environment.
During
my
years
involved
in
caring
for
leprosy
patients,
while
I
did
not
find
that
NEEM
has
any
effect
on
the
leprosy
bacillus,
it
is
a
really
good
cleansing
agent
for
treating
diseased
skin
and
open
sores.
For
this
reason,
it
plays
an
important
role
in
the
production
of
soap,
toothpaste,
ointment
and
other
medications.

However,
while
NEEM
is
well
known
and
extensively
used
in
India,
the
real
potential
of
this
remarkable
plant
is
yet
to
be
understood
by
the
world
in
general.

-Kelli

"NEEM
is
one
tree,
the
very
presence
of
which
near
one's
abode,
is
considered
healthy.
This
large,
generally
evergreen
tree(except
in
drier
parts
of
India
where
it
is
leafless
for
a
short
period
during
February
-
March),
with
a
broad
canopy,
is
a
common
sight
in
most
parts
of
India
It
grows
wild
in
the
Siwalik
Hills
in
north
India
and
in
Andhra
Pradesh,
Tamil
Nadu
and
Karnataka
in
south
India.
It
has
mostly
been
cultivated
in
drier
parts
of
the
country
from
where
it
escaped
and
became
wild
in
many
localities.
The
British
in
India
used
it
extensively
as
a
roadside
and
avenue
tree.
It
has
an
almost
straight
trunk
and
spreading
branches,
covered
with
dark
grey,
cracked
bark.
The
compound
leaves
are
characteristic.
They
arise,
crowded
at
the
end
of
branchlets.
Leaflets
are
alternative
and
opposite,
oblique
or
subfalcate
with
toothed
edges
and
pointed
tips.
Tender
young
leaves
lend
the
tree
a
charming,
soothing,
green
and
shining
canopy.
Flowers
are
small,
whitish
or
yellowish,
appearing
in
large
numbers
in
drooping
axes
from
the
leaf
axils.
Their
sweet
smell
attracts
buzzing
swarms
of
insects
as
long
as
the
bloom
lasts.
The
green
fruit,
turning
yellow
on
ripening,
is
small
and
pulpy,
with
a
stone
containing
a
single
seed.

Almost
every
part
of
the
tree
is
bitter
and
finds
medicinal
use,
so
much
so
that
the
bitterness
of
the
tree
is
proverbial
and
it
is
believed
that
the
more
bitter,
the
better.
Neem
extracts
possess
anti-diabetic,
anti-bacterial
and
anti-viral
properties
and
have
been
used
successfully
in
cases
of
stomach
worms
and
ulcers.
The
tree
and
root
barks
and
young
fruit
possess
astringent,
tonic
and
antiperiodic
properties.
The
bark
is
beneficial
in
malaria
and
cutaneous
diseases.
Leaves
are
said
to
be
discutient
and
their
juice
to
be
antithelmintic.
The
kernels
yield
a
greenish
yellow
to
brown,
acrid,
bitter
fixed
oil,
known
as
"Margosa
Oil"
and
also
called
"Nimbadi
Thailam".
Oil
from
nuts
and
leaves
is
a
local
stimulant,
insecticide
and
antiseptic.
Flowers
are
stimulant,
tonic
and
stomachic.

The
bark
exudes
a
clear,
bright,
amber
coloured
gum
known
as
"East
India
Gum",
which
blackens
with
age.
The
gum
is
a
stimulant,
demulcent
and
tonic
and
is
useful
in
catarrhal
and
other
infections.
Powdered
bark
or
its
fluid
extract
or
decoction
has
been
successfully
tried
in
the
past
by
numerous
European
and
Indian
doctors
in
cases
of
intermittent
and
other
paroxysmal
fevers.
The
above,
with
the
addition
of
Coriander
and
and
Ginger
powder
or
bruised
Cloves
or
Cinnamon
powder
is
said
to
be
superior
to
Quinine.
Margosa
Oil
can
be
used
as
a
dressing
for
foul
ulcers,
as
a
liniment
to
rheumatic
affections
and
in
headaches.
It
is
a
favourite
application
in
tetanus,
leprosy,
uticaria,
eczema,
erysipelas,
scrofula
and
skin
diseases
like
ringworm,
scabies,
pemphigus
etc..
It
cures
dental
and
gum
troubles.
Applications
of
warm
oil,
taken
in
betel
leaf,
provide
relief
in
asthma.
As
an
insecticide,
it
is
used
against
lice.
Oil,
sniffed
for
a
month,
while
keeping
on
a
milk
diet,
stops
greying
of
hair.
Powdered
kernels
are
also
used
for
washing
hair.
Leaves,
in
the
form
of
pulp,
paste
or
poultice
are
useful
antiseptic
applications
to
pustules,
indolent,
glandular
swellings,
boils
and
ulcers.
A
paste
of
leaves
and
dry
Ginger,
mixed
with
a
little
rock-salt,
is
applied
to
eyes
to
remove
inflammation,
itching
and
pain.
Powder
of
the
leave,
with
that
of
Symplocos
Racemosa,
kept
in
a
cotton
pouch,
is
dipped
in
water
and
the
extract
so
obtained
is
used
as
eye-drops
to
alleviate
eye
diseases.
Leaves
eaten
daily
act
as
a
prophylactic
to
scorpion
sting
and
snake
poison.
They
are
used
to
diagnose
snake
poisoning
cases.
A
person
affected
by
the
poison,
does
not
find
the
leaves
bitter
".Such
is
the
virtue
of
NEEM
that
almost
all
the
text
of
Indian
Systems
of
Medicine
describe
its
uses"
.
This
Gem
of
a
Tree
is
yet
to
be
fully
discovered
by
the
World
at
Large.

9.
Neem
Oil
For
Pear
Sawflies

Neem
Oil
for
control
of
Pear
Sawflies
also
known
as
Slugs
Neem
Oil's
Anti-feedant
activity
has
been
the
main
focus
in
this
article.

Neem
Oil
Offensive

Pear
sawflies,
also
known
as
pear
slugs
because
of
the
appearance
of
their
larvae,
are
pests
of
pears
and
cherries
that
can
be
of
particular
concern
in
organic
production
systems.
Neem
oil,
a natural
product
from
the
Indian
neem
tree,
is
toxic
to
a wide
variety
of
insects.
Can
neem
oil
be
used
to
control
pear
slugs
in
organic
orchards?
PARC
researchers
found
that
neem
is
slightly
toxic
to
slug
larvae,
but
more
important
its
presence
stops
the
insects
from
feeding.
Larvae
find
treated
cherry
foliage
so
distasteful
they
dont
eat,
even
when
nothing
else
is
available.
They
would
rather
starve.

Neem
oil
is
effective
at
very
low
doses,
and
breaks
down
rapidly.
Carefully
timed
sprays
of
neem
oil
may
prevent
feeding
by
pear
slug
larvae,
while
leaving
no
residues
on
the
leaves
or
the
fruit.

Azadirachta
indica
A.Juss.
(Syn.
Melia
azadirachta
L .
) ;
Eng-
Margosa
tree,
Neem
tree;
Hindi-
Neem
(Meliaceaae).
A common
roadside
tree
bearing
small,
white
and
sweet
scented
flowers.
Blossoms
in
early
April
in
North
Indian
conditions.
Tree
is
considered
a good
purifier
of
air,
due
to
its
large
leaf
area.
Native
of
Burma
but
grown
all
over
India.
Oilcake,
obtained
from
seeds,
is
used
as
a fertilizer
and
manure.
Green
twigs
are
used
as
tooth
brushes
for
cleaning
teeth,
and
as
a prophylactic
for
mouth
and
teeth
complaints.
Parts
of
the
plant
are
used
medicinally
and
the
leaves
are
placed
in
suit
cases
to
repel
insects
and
to
preserve
woollens.
An
extract
of
leaves
is
used
in
tooth
pastes
and
soaps
Seeds
yield
famous
margosa
oil
of
disagreeable
garlic
like
flavour.
Oil
is
said
to
be
effective
in
treatment
of
leprosy
and
skin
diseases.
Also
used
as
a cure
for
manage
in
dogs.
Leaves
in
poultice
are
used
for
healing
of
wounds.
Ripe
fruits
are
edible.
Due
to
its
bitter
taste
and
disagreeable
odour,
not
removed
by
conventional
methods,
neem
oil
has
not
been
utilised
on
an
industrial
scale.
However,
a process
has
recently
been
developed
to
extract
the
bitter
constituents
from
neem
oil.
Oil
thus
obtained
has
been
found
to
be
suitable
for
soap
making
and
for
hydrogenation.
Seed
oil
is
also
used
as
antiseptic
and
for
burning
purposes.
Stones
from
fruits
are
used
as
beads
in
rosaries
and
necklaces.
Azadirachtin,
a substance
isolated
from
the
tree,
has
been
found
to
have
insect
repellent
and
insecticidal
properties.
Bark
yields
tannin.
Gum
exudate
from
the
bark
is
used
in
medicines
as
a stimulant,
and
for
dyeing
silk.
Bark
is
useful
in
fever,
nausea,
vomitting
and
skin
disease.
Bitter
principles
of
neem
oil
are
reported
to
have
been
obtained
by
extraction
with
alcohol.
The
main
component
of
the
oil
is
nimbidin
which
is
very
bitter.
Nimbidin
is
used
for
making
several
pharmaceutical
preparations
including
emulsions,
liquors,
ointments,
medicinal
cosmetics
such
as
lotions,
shampoos,
creams,
hair
tonics
and
gargles.
Timber
is
used
for
agricultural
implements
and
furniture.

Besides
above
Neem
products
? Neem
EC
and
Neem
UCA
have
also
been
produced
as
plant
growth
promoter
and
soil
conditioning
agent.

NEEM
EC
NEEM
EC
is
the
general-
purpose
botanical
pesticide
of
choice
for
organic
agriculture
. NEEM
EC
is
widely
used
in
several
countries
around
the
world
today
either
singly
in
Integrated
Pest
Management
or
in
conjunction
with
synthetic
pesticides.
Amongst
the
other
known
botanical
pesticides
such
as
Rotenone
and
Pyrethrins,
NEEM
EC
is
superior
due
to
reasons
cited
below.
Research
has
shown
that
neem
extracts
can
influence
nearly
200
spices
of
insects.
It
is
significant
that
some
of
these
pests
are
resistant
to
pesticides,
or
are
inherently
difficult
to
control
with
conventional
pesticides
(floral
thrips,
diamond
back
moth
and
several
leaf
miners).NEEM
EC
belongs
to
the
category
of
medium
to
broad
spectrum
pesticides.
NEEM
EC
works
by
intervening
at
several
stages
of
the
life
of
an
insect.
It
does
not
kill
the
pests
instantaneously
but
incapacitates
it
in
several
other
ways.

Mode
of
Action
: Neem
acts
as
a biopesticide
at
different
levels
and
ways.
This
is
very
important
since
the
farmer
is
used
to
the
knock
out
effect
of
chemical
pesticides.
Neem
does
not
exhibit
this
type
of
effect
on
pests
but
affects
them
in
several
other
ways.

Mainly:
Oviposition
Deterrent
Insect
Growth
Regulation:
It
is
a very
interesting
property
of
neem
products
and
unique
in
nature,
since
it
works
on
juvenile
hormone.
The
insect
larva
feeds
when
it
grows,
it
sheds
the
old
skin
and
again
starts
growing.
This
particular
shedding
of
old
skin
is
the
phenomenon
of
ecdysis
or
moulting
is
governed
by
an
enzyme
ecdysone.
When
the
neem
components,
especially
Azadirachtin
enter
into
the
body
of
larvae,
the
activity
of
ecdysone
is
suppressed
and
the
larva
fails
to
moult,
remains
in
the
larval
stage
and
ultimately
dies.
If
the
concentration
of
Azadirachtin
is
not
sufficient,
the
larva
manages
to
enter
the
pupal
stage
but
dies
at
this
stage
and
if
the
concentration
is
still
less
the
adult
emerging
from
the
pupa
is
100
% malformed,
absolutely
sterile
without
any
capacity
for
reproduction.

Feeding
Deterrent:
The
most
important
property
of
neem
is
feeding
deterrence.
When
an
insect
larva
sits
on
the
leaf,
the
larva
is
hungry
and
it
wants
to
feed
on
the
leaf.
This
particular
trigger
of
feeding
is
given
through
the
maxillary
glands
give
a trigger,
peristalsis
in
the
alimentary
canal
is
speeded
up,
the
larva
feels
hungry
and
its
starts
feeding
on
the
surface
of
the
leaf.
When
the
leaf
is
treated
with
neem
product,
because
of
the
presence
of
azadirachtin,
salanin
and
melandriol
there
is
an
anti
? peristalitic
wave
in
the
alimentary
canal
and
this
produces
something
similar
to
vomiting
sensation
in
the
insect.
Because
of
this
sensation
the
insect
does
not
feed
on
the
neem
treated
surface.
Its
ability
to
swallow
is
also
blocked.

Oviposition
Deterrent:
Another
way
in
which
neem
reduces
pests
is
not
by
allowing
the
female
to
deposits
eggs.
This
property
is
known
as
Oviposition
deterrence,
and
comes
in
very
handy
when
the
seeds
in
storage
are
coated
with
neem
Kernel
powder
and
neem
oil.
The
seeds
or
grains
obtained
from
the
market
are
already
infested
with
some
insects.
Even
these
grains
could
be
treated
with
neem
seed
kernel
extract
or
neem
oil;
after
this
treatment
the
insects
will
not
feed
on
them.
There
will
be
no
further
damage
to
the
already
damaged
grains
and
at
the
same
time
when
the
female
comes
to
the
egg
laying
period
of
its
life
cycle,
egg
laying
is
prevented.

Other
pesticidal
activity
includes
of
need
include
(1)
The
formation
of
chitin
(exoskeleton)
is
also
inhibited.
(2)
Mating
as
well
as
sexual
communication
is
disrupted.(3)
Larvae
and
adults
of
insects
are
repelled.
(4)
Adults
are
sterilised.
(5)
larvae
and
adults
are
poisoned.

Use
of
neem
products
does
not
give
immediate
results
like
chemical
insecticides.
Some
patience
is
required
after
application
of
neem
products.

Chemistry
of
Ingredients
of
Neem
Neem
plants,
as
do
all
other
plants,
contain
several
thousands
of
chemical
constituents.Of
special
interest
are
the
terpenoids
are
known
from
different
parts
of
the
neem
plant.
Of
its
biological
constituents
the
most
active
and
well
studied
compound
is
Azadirachtin.
However,
in
most
traditional
preparations
of
neem
as
pesticide
or
medicine
a mixture
of
neem
chemicals
are
present
and
provide
the
active
principles.
Several
different
kinds
of
azadirachtins
(A
to
K)
have
been
isolated,
the
most
abundant
of
which
is
Azadirachtin
? A.
The
neem
terpenoids
are
present
in
all
parts
of
the
plant,
in
the
living
tissues.
Recently,
the
site
of
synthesis
and
accumulation
of
the
neem
chemicals
has
been
identified
as
secretory
cells.
Secretory
cells
are
most
abundant
in
the
seed
kernels.
The
secretory
cells
can
be
seen
with
iodine
solution.
Besides
the
terpenoids,
neem
also
contains
more
than
20
sulphurous
compounds
responsible
for
the
characteristic
smell
of
crushed
seeds
and
neem
oil.

Toxicity:
In
toxicological
studies
carried
out
in
the
USA
and
Germany,
different
neem
product
were
neither
mutagenous
nor
cancerogenic,
and
they
did
not
produce
any
skin
irritations
or
organic
alternations
to
mice
and
rates
even
at
high
concentrations.
In
another
Canadian
study,
Neem
was
found
to
be
harmless
to
Aquatic
invertebrates
and
other
non-target
species.

Benefits:
Neem
Biopesticide
(Emulsifiable
Concentrate)
is
well
suited
for
an
? Integrated
Pest
Management?
(IPM)
Program
because
of
the
following
salient
features:(1)
Neem
Pesticide
is
a natural
product,
absolutely
non
toxic,
100%
biodegradable
and
environment
mentally
friend.
(2)
It
is
suited
for
mixing
with
other
synthetic
pesticide
and
in
fact
enhances
their
action.
(3)
None
or
lesser
quantity
of
synthetic
pesticides
need
to
be
used,
thereby
reducing
the
environmental
load.
(4)
Several
synthetic
pesticides
being
single
chemical
compounds
cause
easy
development
of
resistant
species
of
pests.
Neem
consists
of
several
compounds
hence
development
of
resistance
is
impossible.
(5)
Neem
does
not
destroy
natural
predators
and
parasites
of
pests
thereby
allowing
these
natural
enemies
to
keep
a check
on
the
pest
population.
(6)
Neem
also
has
systemic
action
and
seedlings
can
absorb
and
accumulate
the
neem
compounds
to
make
the
whole
plant
pest
resistant.
(7)
Neem
has
a broad
spectrum
of
action
active
on
more
than
200
spices
of
pests.
(8)
Neem
is
harmless
to
non
target
and
beneficial
organisms
like
pollinators,
honey
bees,
mammals
and
other
vertebrates.

Urea
is
the
major
source
of
nitrogenous
fertiliser
used
in
Agriculture.
It
is
estimated
that
out
of
the
total
quantity
of
urea
applied
to
crops,
about
50-
70%
is
lost
in
various
forms,
thereby
reducing
the
availability
of
nitrogen
to
crops.
There
is
an
age
old
practice
in
India
of
blending
neem
cake
with
urea.
Based
on
this
principle
is
our
Urea
coating
agent
NEEM
UCA,
a concentrated
easy
to
use
formulation.
When
NEEM
UCA
IS
coated
on
urea,
it
forms
a fine
coating
and
protects
the
loss
of
Nitrogen
by
denitrification
ensuring
regulated
continuous
availability
of
nitrogen
for
a longer
period,
as
per
the
requirement
of
crops.

Mode
of
Action:
When
uncoated
urea
is
applied
to
the
soil,
the
urea
(Amide)
nitrogen
is
rapidly
converted
to
ammoniacal
nitrogen
and
subsequently
to
nitrite
and
nitrate
forms.
Nitrogen
in
these
forms,
besides
being
absorbed
by
plants,
is
also
rapidly
lost
from
the
soil
due
to
leaching,
run
off,
volatilization
and
denitrification.
When
NEEM
UCA
coated
urea
is
applied
to
soil,
the
neem
triterpenes
inhibit
the
activity
of
nitrifying
bacteria
resulting
in
delayed
transformation
of
ammoniacal
nitrogen
into
nitrite
nitrogen.
This
ensures
slow
and
continuous
availability
of
nitrogen
matching
the
requirements
of
crop
plant
during
their
life
cycle.

HONG
KONG/SINGAPORE:
Cockroaches
may
have
carried
a deadly
flu-like
virus
through
a Hong
Kong
apartment
block,
a top
health
official
said
on
Tuesday
as
the
disease
spread
to
one
of
the
city's
crowded
new
towns.

At
least
three
more
people
died
in
Beijing
from
SARS
than
officially
reported,
doctors
in
Beijing
said
on
Tuesday
as
fears
spread
and
hospitals
disclosed
suspected
cases
not
previously
revealed.

If
proved
true,
it
would
represent
an
alarming
development
in
the
swiftly
spreading
epidemic
in
Hong
Kong,
a city
of
seven
million
people
filled
with
densely
populated
apartment
blocks.

"The
drainage
may
be
the
reason.
It
is
possible
that
the
cockroaches
carried
the
virus
(from
the
drainage
pipes)
into
the
homes,"
Leung
said.

SARS
raced
through
a block
in
Amoy
Gardens
in
late
March,
infecting
nearly
300
people
and
forcing
residents
in
the
building
and
others
in
the
complex
to
flee
in
panic.
The
speed
of
the
outbreak
has
baffled
health
officials.
----------------